---
title: solstice — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «solstice» in the school dictionary: A solstice is one of the two days each year when the Sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon. The summer solstice has the longest daylight; the winter solstice has the shortest. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# solstice

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** solstice, Sun, summer solstice, winter solstice, People, sunlight · **What happens:** be, have, gather, fill, get, measure · **To what, where:** one, highest point, longest daylight, shortest, longest day, Stonehenge

<!-- .vabout -->
«solstice» in the school dictionary: its meaning for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [solstice in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/solstice.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A solstice is one of the two days each year when the Sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon. The summer solstice has the longest daylight; the winter solstice has the shortest.

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* A solstice is one of the two days each year when the Sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:m1:1
# text = A solstice is one of the two days each year when the Sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	days	day	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	_
9	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	10	det	_	_
10	year	year	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod:unmarked	_	_
11	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	20	advmod	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	Sun	Sun	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	20	nsubj	_	_
14	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	20	cop	_	_
15	at	at	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
16	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	20	nmod:poss	_	_
17	highest	high	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	20	amod	_	_
18	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	19	cc	_	_
19	lowest	low	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	17	conj	_	_
20	point	point	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	acl:relcl	_	_
21	in	in	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
22	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	sky	sky	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	20	nmod	_	_
24	at	at	ADP	IN	_	25	case	_	_
25	noon	noon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	20	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a solstice | one |  |  | day |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present | the Sun |  |  | Sun's highest point | noon | in the sky | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* The summer solstice has the longest daylight; the winter solstice has the shortest.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:m1:2
# text = The summer solstice has the longest daylight; the winter solstice has the shortest.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	summer	summer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	longest	long	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	7	amod	_	_
7	daylight	daylight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	12	punct	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	winter	winter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
12	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	shortest	short	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the summer solstice | the longest daylight |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent daylight=Patient |
| 2 | **have** | present | the winter solstice | the shortest |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent short=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x1:1
# text = The summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	summer	summer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	longest	long	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	7	amod	_	_
7	day	day	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	year	year	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the summer solstice | the longest day |  |  | year |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
People gather at Stonehenge for the solstice sunrise.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x2:1
# text = People gather at Stonehenge for the solstice sunrise.
1	People	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gather	gather	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	at	at	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	Stonehenge	Stonehenge	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	sunrise	sunrise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **gather** | present | People |  |  | Stonehenge | sunrise |  | vn herd-47.5.2 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In Australia, the winter solstice is in June.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x3:1
# text = In Australia, the winter solstice is in June.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	Australia	Australia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	winter	winter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	June	June	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | the winter solstice |  |  | Australia |  | in June | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
At Newgrange, sunlight fills the passage at the winter solstice.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x4:1
# text = At Newgrange, sunlight fills the passage at the winter solstice.
1	At	at	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	Newgrange	Newgrange	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	sunlight	sunlight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	fills	fill	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	passage	passage	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	at	at	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	winter	winter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fill** | present | sunlight | the passage |  | Newgrange |  | at the winter solstice | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent passage=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
After the winter solstice, days slowly get longer.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x5:1
# text = After the winter solstice, days slowly get longer.
1	After	after	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	winter	winter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	days	day	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
7	slowly	slowly	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	get	get	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	longer	long	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	8	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | present | days |  |  |  | after the winter solstice | long, slowly *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We measured our shadow on the solstice.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x6:1
# text = We measured our shadow on the solstice.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	measured	measure	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	shadow	shadow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	solstice	solstice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **measure** | past | We | our shadow |  | the solstice |  |  | vn register-54.1-2-1 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Theme shadow=Value |
| 2 | **shadow** |  | our |  |  |  |  |  | nom shadow «state transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
There are two solstices and two equinoxes each year.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:solstice:x7:1
# text = There are two solstices and two equinoxes each year.
1	There	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	2	expl	_	_
2	are	be	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	4	nummod	_	_
4	solstices	solstice	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
6	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	equinoxes	equinox	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	conj	_	_
8	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	9	det	_	_
9	year	year	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **does** | present | two solstices and two equinoxes |  |  | there | year |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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